Leclerc facing back-of-the-grid start - Verstappen to join him?
Punishment will be Leclerc's second of the season
Charles Leclerc will start the Belgian Grand Prix from the back of the grid after taking a new power unit.
Leclerc heads into the race with an 80-point deficit to F1 title rival Max Verstappen, with this latest PU change seemingly representing another bitter blow to his championship hopes.
The rumour, however, is that Red Bull is also due to change the PU in Verstappen's RB18, leading to potentially a remarkable back row for the race at Spa-Francorchamps.
The circuit is an obvious choice to take a power unit hit given it affords numerous overtaking opportunities, ensuring Leclerc and Verstappen should secure strong points, particularly with Sunday's race due to be run in dry conditions.
Leclerc's F1-75 will take on Ferrari's new hybrid system that runs for the first time this weekend. Formal confirmation is expected from the FIA.
Team-mate Carlos Sainz, who has fallen 102 points behind Verstappen, will continue to use the older but fresher PU.
Should Verstappen join Leclerc at the back of the grid, it would afford Mercedes a strong chance to finally win its first race of the season.
Related
More F1 news
Latest F1 news
Recommended by the editors
F1 Standings
F1 Standings 2026: Latest points leaders after the Japanese Grand Prix
Japanese Grand Prix
Haas F1 announce Ollie Bearman medical update after terrifying 300kph Japanese Grand Prix crash
Japanese Grand Prix
F1 Results Today: 2026 Japanese Grand Prix times and positions
Japanese Grand Prix
F1 star's crash leaves George Russell fuming: 'Unbelievable'
Races
-
Grand Prix of Australia 2026
-
Grand Prix of China 2026
-
Grand Prix of Japan 2026
-
Grand Prix of Bahrain 2026
-
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2026
-
Miami Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix du Canada 2026
-
Grand Prix De Monaco 2026
-
Gran Premio de Barcelona-Catalunya 2026
-
Grand Prix of Austria 2026
-
Grand Prix of Great Britain 2026
-
Grand Prix of Belgium 2026
-
Grand Prix of Hungary 2026
-
Dutch Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Italy 2026
-
Gran Premio de España 2026
-
Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2026
-
Grand Prix of Singapore 2026
-
Grand Prix of the United States 2026
-
Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2026
-
Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2026
-
Las Vegas Grand Prix 2026
-
Qatar Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2026
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Editorial & corporate information
Avenue HQ
10–12 East Parade
Leeds
LS1 2BH
United Kingdom Regional correspondence
View contact page